the giving tree

for the first time, i had an opportunity to do some real voluntary work. was on duty a couple of days back at the giving tree volunteers' fair at tampines. i had no idea what was in stored for us until i actually reached there. in front of me was this really MASSIVE pile of soft toys waiting to be sorted out and packed. and it didnt stop there. many more continued coming to donate their stuff toys to us. and then i realised my job was to sort out of the toys and not presentation on the booth as i thought it would be. a simple and easy job quick became tiring and dull as the pile never seemed to lessened. from poohs to hello kittys, you name it, we had it. wah, i've never seen that many stuffed toy before in my entire life.

the toys were basically for the children victims of the tsunami, and it was important we sorted out the toys properly according to their condition and material so that the children will only recieve the good stuff and not make them feel worthless by giving them the dirtied and spoilt ones too. so there i was being santa's worker, inspecting every toy before it goes into the right bag. thoughts ran through my tired mind as i asked myself was it really worth my valuable time that i could have spent on a good rest instead, doing such work and not getting anything in return?

well, it was a yes. and in fact, isn't going down for trainings and teaching the cadets all considered voluntary work too? afterall, we dont get anything in return, except in hope that we'll be able to see our young ones growing and excelling in the right path of life. though i do have many limitations, i was glad to know my little efforts, in this case packing the toys, could mean a huge blessing to others. eventually with a little over-time, the three of us there did managed to get the pile sorted out and packed. PHEW, it was a big achievement alright. it felt good to see the pleasant side of singaporeans for a change, as compared to those you see running when the mrt approaches, budgging their way through the opened mrt door and literally rushing in for a seat. sad huh. there were quite a number that actually bought these brand new toys just to donate them. what nice people haha =) so, as the slogan goes, ' it doesnt take much effort to be a volunteer, just do what you normally do!' =) ah hah! the giving tree ends only on the 31st dec. so do bring down your stuffed toys if you wish to have them donated!

chill!